The Golden Rule: Treat Others as You Want to be Treated

I'll admit it... I lost my cool last week. I had a technical malfunction with my merchant accounts and let's just say, it wasn't pretty. I'm not proud of my behavior, so I'm trying to make amends with the universe by sharing how important The Golden Rule is and how to achieve your best results when plagued with a less than desirable circumstance.

The Golden Rule isn't something you do just when you need something or to get someone's attention. It's something you practice every day for the rest of your life.

So what is The Golden Rule?

The Golden Rule is to treat others how you'd like to be treated.

Easier said than done sometimes, right?

What if you always treated others the way you'd like to be treated? How would your life be different and those lives around you? I know for me, had I chosen not to lose my cool on the phone with a customer service representative, I may have been able to wind down easier that evening. My poor adrenal glands probably got a serious toxic shock.

Why is keeping your cool sometimes not an option? Is it lack of self-control or is it something deeper?

As I pondered this question, I realized for that moment I was part of the ugliness that lives in society. Ouch, that hurts. I'm not going to beat myself up over this, but I do want to mention that The Golden Rule is going down as something I need to work on--- specifically with customer service representatives.

So here are 5 things I wrote that will hopefully save me (and you) when The Golden Rule seems nearly out of reach:

{spicy foods help to release endorphins too!}

•Breathe Deep. When you take a deep breath in you release endorphins which are instant painkillers and the easiest form of relaxation and stress reducers. When you're put on hold for 30 minutes be a yogi for half an hour and practice your breathing.
•Talk Slower. When you talk slower you are able to really think through what you will say before you say something you might regret. Give your brain a chance to catch up to your thoughts so you can spit it out beautifully and with grace.
•Make a Joke. Making light of an annoying circumstance or situation lightens the air and your mood. It also builds rapport with your subject and that could result in getting what you want out of it. Annoying matters always have a bit of humor in them. Try to find the underlining "joke" between the lines.
•Compliment Someone. If someone pisses you off, take it upon yourself to stop the negativity in its tracks. The next person you come into contact with, tell them you like their shoes or how great their hair looks. This will be sure to increase your energetic vibration and ultimately bring you warmer feelings. And if that fails find something nice to do for someone else. Write a card to your best friend.
•Talk to Yourself. Having an internal dialogue with yourself about what's really bothering you is incredibly therapeutic. Ask yourself why you are so bothered by this situation or person. Get to the root of the problem and you'll learn something very valuable about yourself (which will save you an apology later). Talking to yourself might sound crazy, but yelling at a customer service rep (uh hum) is even crazier.
The Golden Rule is like Yoga or Meditation; it's something that should be practiced. When you forget to practice, that's when you'll feel like an amateur. I know I did. And even if you didn't handle yourself up to your expectations, you can always forgive and forget. But let's be honest, forgiving and forgetting is probably even more challenging than The Golden Rule. So let's just keep it simple and treat others the way you'd like to be treated.